General Requirements
Thomson Reuters applications are designed for professional production work. Our system requirements are based on the assumption that professional accounting firms replace/upgrade their computer hardware and operating systems approximately every three years.
While our software may operate on less powerful hardware and operating systems, we do not believe it will perform at a level suitable for production work in those environments. Of course, as processing speed and RAM are increased, software performance will also improve. We recommend business class computers, which generally offer higher levels of performance than home models when running business applications.
Specific system requirements and recommendations for CS Professional Suite applications:
| Processor |
An Intel or AMD 2 GHz 64-bit processor is required. We recommend an Intel or AMD 3 GHz or higher 64-bit multi-core processor. |
| Memory |
A minimum of 4 GB is required. We recommend 8 GB or higher. |
| Disk Space |
Actual disk space requirements vary greatly depending on which desktop applications and modules are installed, the size of client and document data, and the amount of historical data being retained. Each desktop application may range between 100 MB and 2.5 GB for the program files alone.
Note: For desktop applications that store documents, disk space usage will vary drastically depending on the number of documents being stored, the size of the documents, and the settings used for scanned documents. |
| Monitor/Display |
A 15” monitor with a display resolution of 1024x768 and 100% scale is required. We recommend multiple 17" or larger monitors with a display resolution of 1280x1024 or higher and 100% scale. |
| Printer |
A Windows-supported printer capable of data compression and a minimum of 2 MB of memory is required. We recommend a high-speed laser printer with at least 16 MB of memory and the option for duplex printing. |
| Scanner |
A TWAIN or WIA compliant scanner is required for certain features.
Note: Scanning K-1 and W-2 barcodes requires a barcode scanner that is connected via a serial connection (standard RS-232) or USB connection and is capable of decoding two-dimensional (2D) barcodes in PDF417 format. |
| Credit Card Reader (For Practice CS) |
A MagTek USB credit card reader model 21040147, 21040145, 21040107, or 21040108 is required for certain features. |
| Operating System |
The 32- or 64-bit version of Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, or Windows Server 2016. |
| SQL Server (For Accounting CS, Practice CS, Workpapers CS, and optionally for FileCabinet CS) |
The 32- or 64-bit version of SQL 2022, SQL 2019, SQL 2017, SQL 2016, or SQL 2014 (using any fully licensed edition or the Express edition).
Note: Your system configuration and data needs will determine which version and edition will be best for your firm. For guidance, see SQL Server Best Practices for CS Professional Suite Applications. |
| Internet Connection |
A persistent broadband high-speed connection is required for web-based applications, services, and features. We recommend a dedicated high-speed business class connection.
Note: To run applications in the Virtual Office CS or SaaS environment, consider the per user bandwidth available based on the overall connection bandwidth divided by the total number of users and devices sharing that connection. |
| Browser |
The latest version of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome.
Note: We recommend Google Chrome for Engagement Manager and GoFileRoom. |
| Email |
The latest version of a MAPI-compliant email application is required for some features. |
| Microsoft Office |
The 32-bit version of Microsoft 365 Office, Office 2021, Office 2019, or Office 2016 is required to take advantage of integration with Microsoft Office applications.
Note: For Microsoft 365 users, integration is available when the Microsoft Office desktop applications are installed locally. |
| Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat |
The latest version of Adobe Reader DC is required to view PDF files. For Engagement Manager and GoFileRoom, Adobe Acrobat 2020 or Adobe Acrobat DC (using the Standard or Professional edition) is required to take advantage of integration with PDF files.
Note: If you have both Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader installed, you must set Adobe Acrobat as the default program for viewing PDF files. |
Notes for network installations:
| You must use a supported Windows server, and it must be a full installation. We don't support core installations, because they don't install .NET components. Additionally, we don't recommend wireless networks for use with any CS Professional Suite application. |
| Unless they allow for a Windows host control, we don't support network attached storage (NAS) devices as file servers, because they don't meet the requirement of using a Windows operating system. NAS devices often use proprietary operating systems that may not handle file locking properly and may cause data corruption and/or performance issues. |
| For Terminal Server or Citrix Server recommendations, see Terminal Server Best Practices for CS Professional Suite Applications. |
| For Microsoft SQL Server recommendations, see SQL Server Best Practices for CS Professional Suite Applications. |
Notes for web applications (NetFirm CS, Engagement Manager, and GoFileRoom) and desktop applications running in the Virtual Office CS or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) environment:
| Certain hardware requirements above may be reduced or not applicable. |
| NetFirm CS, including NetStaff CS and NetClient CS, can be used with a Windows computer, Apple iOS device, or Android device. |
Notes for mobile applications (NetClient CS, Mobile CS, and authenticator apps):
| Certain hardware requirements above may be reduced or not applicable. |
| An Apple iOS device (iOS 12.0 or higher) or Android device (Android OS 5.0 or higher) is required. |
| A cellular or Wi-Fi data connection is required. |
| For device storage, each mobile app may range between 2 MB and 30 MB. |